Why we fall for fake news and how can we change that?

2024-02-09 06:20

Have you ever been swept away by an enticing headline and didn't bother to probe the news in-depth? You might have shared an eye-catching news story or engaged with a compelling post, only to realize later that what appeared to be truth was a skillfully constructed lie.

Disinformation can take many forms, such as fake news articles, manipulated images or videos, misleading social media posts, and more.

Psychologist Gordon Robert Pennycook and David G. Rand, a professor of Management Science and Brain and Cognitive Sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have outlined a number of reasons why people believe fake news.

Contrary to popular belief, psychologists at University of Cambridge found that the more time people spend online recreationally, the less likely are they to distinguish real news from fake news.

They also found that those who turned to social media for news, were more likely to fall for fake news.

"Relying upon a small number of like-minded news sources limits the range of material available to people and increases the odds they may fall victim to hoaxes or false rumors. This method is not entirely fool-proof, but it increases the odds of hearing well-balanced and diverse viewpoints."

News URL

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2024/02/09/fight-disinformation/